[EL] Check out F.D.A. Surveillance of Scientists Spread to Outside Critics - NYTim

[Lillie Coney]

Politicalization of research is a problem that impacts the quality
of research and the support of federal basic and applied research 
across the board.

It is the creeping of a potential dark age that is most disturbing.  
Instead of religion as the controlling factor it can also be political 
views that becomes the litmus test.  

Not funding a serious replacement for NASA's shuttle program, 
killing the large hadron collider project inTexas in the 1990s. 

Stress on government researchers started in the 1980s with drastic 
cuts in federal funding of basic research--included transitioning the 
National Academies of Science to a for-profit entity. In the previous 
administration scientists were forced out whose research results did not 
support administration policy on topics like global climate change or 
reproductive health are examples.  There where examples of hard science
positions being filled by persons without any training in science. This self
inflicted brain drain on the federal government scientific research resources 
is problematic for many reasons both our leadership in critical areas.

Now the recent reports on surveillance of government scientists by 
their agency has a further chilling impact on federal scientific advancement. 
Surveillance does this--and is the chief reason why it should not be tolerated.
What is learned rarely is fully appreciated by those who listen and retaliation 
is real threat. 


On Jul 15, 2012, at 6:28 AM, JBoppjr at aol.com wrote:

> Click here: F.D.A. Surveillance of Scientists Spread to Outside Critics - NYTimes.com
>  
> Government going after critics, exactly the type of activity that can chill political speech and that makes disclosure a burden.  Jim Bopp
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